Juventus held 1-1 by Genoa in Italian Serie A

Milan, Jan 27 (IANS) Juventus missed the opportunity to move eight points clear on top of Italian Serie A standings after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Genoa side at home.

The hosts dominated the first half, but could barely test Sebastien Frey in the Genoa goal Saturday, reports Xinhua.

They belatedly made the breakthrough early in the second half through Fabio Quagliarella. However, veteran striker Marco Borriello came off the bench to equalise in the 68th minute and the visitors held on to claim a point that boosts their bid to avoid relegation.

Juventus Antonio Conte was furious as the referee did not award his side a penalty after Genoa player Andreas Granqvist mistimed a clearance, accidentally kicking the ball up on to his own arm in stoppage time.

The referee and his assistants only awarded a corner, judging the handling offence to be involuntary. At the final whistle, Conte and his players crowded round referee Marco Guida.

"I think they went over the line today," said Conte.

"I accept it if they admit they didn't see the incident, but hearing a referee say 'I didn't feel ready' to give the penalty is not normal. This is not football. I think in these cases saying 'shame on you' is the very least one can do.

"Clearly tomorrow I will tell my lads about the positive and negative aspects of the evening, but I cannot tolerate what happened," he said.

Second-placed Napoli can now close to within three points of Juventus should they prevail in Parma Sunday.

In the day's other result, Chievo pulled off a shock 1-0 win at third-placed Lazio with Alberto Paloschi scoring the game's only goal in the 61st minute.

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